LeBron James 2005 SP Game Used By the Letter E 4/5 BGS 9

For the sale, the following two options are being considered:

• Private Sale: Private sales are likely preferred if a suitable buyer is found and the investment returns are satisfactory, with the medium-term horizon providing ample opportunity to explore interests and consider community offers, while ongoing market growth and increasing demand for unique, well-designed items suggest that successful outcomes are expected within 3-5 years with minimal effort.

• Auction: The card will be offered as individual lots at an auction for sport trading cards such as Heritage Auctions. This option will be considered if the price has developed to the point where the minimum bid meets the market value and the demand for sport cards is high.

Why investing in the first NBA Nameplate Card: A Historic LeBron James Collectible?
This is the very first NBA Nameplate/Letterman card in history, and naturally, it features LeBron James’ very first Nameplate Card. Each letter of "JAMES" is featured only once in this set of five cards, and the current offering is the fourth letter, "E," matching the serial number 4. The card is full of historical significance, featuring the largest patch window produced during the Upper Deck (UD) era, marking the first time such a design was ever used to display a full letter patch for King James. Few cards associated with top players carry such strong historical significance, making this one of the most important and recognizable LeBron Patch cards ever made.

Upper Deck’s Legacy in the Card Collecting World
Upper Deck (UD) was one of the big three licensed card manufacturers in the 1990s and 2000s. It was the first company to introduce memorabilia cards featuring pieces of game-worn jerseys, revolutionizing the hobby and bringing fans closer to the athletes. This strategy played a pivotal role in UD gaining market share from competitors like Fleer and dominating the card market in the 2000s. In 1997, UD introduced the first jersey card in NBA trading cards, followed by the first patch cards in 1999. These cards were extremely rare and highly coveted. The SP Game Used brand marked a significant shift for UD, transitioning from scarce surprises in mass-produced products to premium products where game-used patches became the main design element.

The Iconic “By the Letter” Set
In 2005, SP Game Used introduced the first-ever nameplate/letterman set in the NBA, featuring legends like LeBron, Jordan, and Kobe. The patch window was designed to perfectly fit the entire letter cut from the jersey, making it the focal point of the card. This set, known as “By the Letter,” is highly respected among high-end collectors and is extremely difficult to complete.

Supply and Demand: A Favorable Dynamic
The basic principle of supply and demand states that the less supply of a limited key asset, the higher the demand and price. In this case, the design of the card itself encourages collectors to first acquire such a historically significant piece. Then, as they aim to collect as many letters as possible, the demand increases even further, especially since collectors tend to stack more copies. The more copies they have, the higher their stake in completing the set, and the more they are willing to pay for the next card. With LeBron serving as a UD exclusive spokesperson from 2003 to 2023, there were only two years (2005 and 2006) where such cards with game-used patches were made. The card offered here is from the first and most coveted year, making it the ideal scenario for the supply-demand equation.

The Significance of the Letter "E" and Serial Number
The letter "E" is significant as it appears in LeBron’s both names, as well as in the names of the teams he has played for—Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers. Serial number 4 out of 5 is also meaningful, representing LeBron’s four NBA Championships, four MVP awards, four Finals MVPs, and four Olympic gold medals. The design of the card's background logos has the letter "E" positioned next to the middle edge, further enhancing its appeal.

Mint Condition and Limited Production
The card is graded as mint with two gem mint subgrades, which is exceptional for a patch card, especially one with such thickness and historical importance. It’s also important to note that licensed LeBron cards in a professional uniform by Upper Deck are limited to the years 2003-2009, as UD lost its license to Panini in 2009. Cards from this period will only feature LeBron in a Cavaliers uniform. Given that LeBron himself considers his greatest achievement to be leading the Cavaliers to a championship by defeating the 73-9 Warriors, it is likely the team he will be most associated with when he enters the Hall of Fame. This adds long-lasting desirability and legacy to key Cavaliers cards.

The 2005 Season: The Beginning of LeBron’s Prime
The 2005 season, the release year of this card, was also the first year LeBron was named to the All-NBA First Team. He won his first All-Star MVP award, finished second in MVP voting, and led a non-talented Cavaliers team to the playoffs for the first time since 1998. He would go on to lead this team to the Finals the following year. This season marked the start of what many consider the greatest prime phase of any player’s career, with LeBron maintaining his peak performance to this day.

LeBron’s Unparalleled Achievements
A brief overview of LeBron's achievements underscores the value of this card. He is the only player in NBA history to win Finals MVP with three different teams. He has won four NBA Championships and four MVP awards. He has been named to the All-NBA Team for 20 consecutive years and the All-Defensive Team for six years in a row. LeBron appeared in eight consecutive NBA Finals and has been selected for 20 straight All-Star teams. He holds unbreakable records with 40,000 points, 11,000 rebounds, and 11,000 assists, making him the all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in February 2023 and Oscar Schmidt worldwide in 2024. He famously led the Cavaliers to an NBA Championship by defeating the historically best team in NBA history, the 73-9 Warriors, after being down 1-3 in the Finals, giving Cleveland its first NBA title. LeBron also just won the MVP in the Paris Olympics with a stacked Team USA. As he enters his 22nd season after signing a two-year extension, he is set to become the first NBA player to play alongside his son on the same team.

Summary of Key Attributes and Value Proposition
First NBA Nameplate Set
This is the first LeBron full letter card, with each letter being unique (1/1), making it one of the most iconic and recognizable LeBron Patch cards ever produced. It features the largest patch window ever produced in the UD era, designed to fit the complete letter patch.

Game-Used Patch and Early LeBron Card
This card features a patch from a game-worn jersey and comes from an early year in LeBron’s career. It is part of a highly respected memorabilia-themed brand by a company where LeBron has been an exclusive spokesperson for 20 years (2003-2023). The set also includes Kobe and Jordan, making it historically significant and highly desirable among collectors of these three NBA legends.

Rarity and High Demand
None of LeBron’s five letters in this first-year release have ever sold publicly, making the supply extremely limited. The card’s design also encourages serious collectors to acquire more than one copy, hoping to complete the set, thereby driving up demand and price.

Combining Hobby History with Sports Moments
This card perfectly combines the history of card collecting with key moments in LeBron’s career. During the release year, LeBron had already begun to fulfill his "Chosen One" expectations, achieving major milestones such as his first All-NBA First Team selection, first All-Star MVP award, second place in MVP voting, and leading the Cavaliers to the playoffs for the first time in years.

Significance of the Letter "E"
The letter "E" ties into LeBron’s teams and his dominance in the Eastern Conference, adding further value to the card. The card's design also places the letter "E" prominently next to the middle edge.

Meaningful Serial Number
The serial number 4/5 is significant, reflecting LeBron’s four NBA Championships, four MVP awards, four Finals MVPs, and four Olympic gold medals.

High Grade Condition
The card is graded as mint with two gem mint subgrades, which is exceptional for a patch card with such thickness and historical significance.